Cruising Log 2006

Usual monthly tlc visits over the winter period but today off to the IWA gathering at Reach Fair. It was belting with rain. Our new dog Tasha didn’t take to the boat at first and kept running away. Set up water system and Paloma, changed the engine drive-belt, had lunch and set off at 2pm. As we left the landing stage Tasha leaped back onto the bank and legged it so we had to turn in a circle and re-berth. Caught her in the end, and tied her securely to the cratch. Worked through Upware lock with cruiser ‘Temperance’. Rain now stopped and weather sunny and calm. Finished filling the water-tank at Upware and then travelled on to Reach Hythe, arriving 5.15pm. Reversed up behind Derek on ‘Zadok’. Six boats here so far. Nice dinner in the Dykes End pub, port and coffee on board and bed at midnight.

Lovely day at Reach. T-shirt temperature in the afternoon. 15 or so boats at the gathering and about the same number of people at the bar-b-q. A few people came back to ours for coffee and ports afterwards as the pub was closed for the evening. Tasha is now quite used to the boats and happily races up and down the gangplank as if she has done it for years.

Heavy rain overnight cleared to leave an overcast and chilly day. Wandered round the fair, hung about the IWA stand, pint in the pub with Meg and Derek. Derek joined us on board for festival stew at lunchtime. Left in convoy around 3pm. Cold and very windy. Uneventful run back to Popes Corner, arrived shortly after 6pm. Packed everything up and away home with a chinese carry-out dinner collected on the way!

3 hours, 1 lock

Arrived with Neil Cunliffe at 10.45 and set off for the ’Five Miles’ arriving 12.15. Bowthruster was misbehaving and wouldn’t fire until we had been moving for a while. Batteries may be u/s. After a bar-snack and a few beers we wandered back and arrived at 3.45pm. Tied up and away home.

2 hours

Andrew, Neil and I arrived at 10am for the big landing stage construction project. We completely changed the intended design as we went along and finally built an 8 x 6 landing stage at the bow end only. Because of the design changes we ended up short of decking timber so we couldn’t finish completely. Very hot day indeed. Left at 5pm and back to the Red Cow for a drink.

Today is the boat-chores day we have been going to have for ages but because of work and illness haven’t done just yet. Finished off the decking on the landing stage and gave the whole structure a coat of Cuprinol. Sorted out the bow-thruster (very wet inside but batteries appear to be fine). In the evening we walked round the marina, which looks very pretty with its lights on. Met quite a lot of people who said nice things about the landing-stage. Bed at 11.

                                                                                                                                           Nice new landing stage

Woke very late. Did various odd jobs around the boat and left at 3. A good weekend and we both got a bit sunburned.

A pub run weekend next, we arrived at 10am. Light rain. Fitted the new chimney bought from Ely Boat Chandlers last weekend and the water-tank plug to replace the one that I dropped in the river last week. Set off for the Pike and Eel at 11.45. A perfect cruising day; high cloud, no wind and 20C. Passed John and Sandra Parker on ‘Bobbles’ at the new EA mooring on the Old West and several other folk we knew before. Lunch of omlettes at the GOBA Aldreth moorings then off to the Pike. Moored breasted up to NB Illusion, Mick and Marie from IWA Lee and Stort Branch. Renewed some old aquaintances in the Pike, supper on board and bed at 11.30.

6 hours, 2 locks

Up at 8, a bright chilly morning but soon warmed up. Lounged about reading papers and chatting to other boaters. A couple of pints, salad lunch on board then off at 1.45pm. We kindly waved on a cruiser which promptly raced off to the lock at Brownshill and then shut the gate on us. There really are some ignorant people about but in our charitable way we assumed inexperience was to blame. Locked through with some guys in a camping canoe who had paddled from Kempston Mill in 3 days! Amazing progress.

Just beyond Aldreth Flat bridge met an un-named Nene registered narrowboat completely disabled and overheated in the weeds. Towed them to the Lazy Otter where an engineer from Westview Marina was going to have a look at the engine, which was newly installed! Then we stopped at the EA mooring at Stretham Old Engine (comfort stop for Tasha) and promptly completely weeded up ourselves! Tied up against MV Georgina moored on the other bank and did a de-weed and chatted to the owners. Back at Popes Corner at 8.45pm. A fab roast pork supper on board, packed up and left for home at 9.45pm. Resolved to write to EA and complain about the condition of the Old West River.

6 hours, 2 locks, 5 litres road diesel

                                                                                                                                              Stretham Old Engine

15 July 2006

Came down at 10am to build the mooring table and benches, empty the loo and do a general check-over. Left at 11.30. Very hot day.

1 hour battery charge

22 July 2006

Arrived at 6pm, temperature 30C! Messed about, had a cabbage bog supper a few drinks and a walk-about. Bed at 11.30, still very hot. Storms forecast for tomorrow.

1 hour battery charge

23 July 2006

Just managed to get Tasha walked before the storm hit and the heavens opened. This delayed our departure and by the time we reached Ely, all the moorings were taken (although we missed one by sheer stupidity!). Eventually stopped for a late lunch at Queen Adelaide. Around 3.30 we cast off again intending to head for Littleport but the skies looked very ugly so we winded round and went back to Queen Adelaide again. We just managed to moor up and sheet down when the mother of all storms hit. Torrential rain, thunder. lightning, and a howling wind which went on for over an hour. When the rain finally stopped we set off again and decided to head for home. The rest of the day was hot and sunny. We had a very nice peppered steak for supper and chilled out on board for the rest of the evening.

4 hours, no locks

24 July 2006

Just toooo hot to travel today. We drove to Ely to pick up our new lounge lamp-glasses and had a drink at the 'Five Miles'. Spent the afternoon doing odd jobs on the boat and reading the papers. A lamb steak supper in the evening and away at 8pm.

28 July 2006

Arrived at 6.30pm and loaded up. Still very hot, 28C. Had a couple of drinks and a roast chicken supper 'al fresco' on the mooring. After dark we wandered around the marina and chatted to other boaters. Delightful. Bed around 11.30pm.

 1 hour battery charge

29 July 2006

We planned to go to Ely to get gas but in the end we couldn't be bothered. A 'laze-about' day. Tightened the engine drive-belt, cleaned out the bilges and did one or two other jobs. A 'spag bog al fresco' in the evening to round off a very relaxing day. Tasha fell in the river for the first time. It rained heavily overnight. (and I caught a fish this evening; only small but every little helps).

1 hour battery charge

30 July 2006

Tasha woke us at 6am, desperate to get out. She has a bad dose of the runs, probably due to the fall in the river yesterday. Had no inclination to travel so Steve drove to Ely to get the Sunday papers and a lamb joint for supper. A lovely bacon and avocado salad lunch followed by a lazy afternoon. Not so hot as recently and with a pleasant breeze.

5/6 August 2006

Gary and his friends borrowed the boat this weekend as we went off to Leeds for a trip on the Aire and Calder Navigation with Val Kendall - which she has organised as a birthday party. We are still waiting for him to write up the log - don't hold your breath, folks.

27/28 August 2006

Gary and friends borrowed the boat again as we were at the IWA 'National' waterways festival at Beale Park. No log again you'll notice. Earlier comments apply.

10 September 2006

Arrived at 10am. Dumped gear and went to the Ely 'Tesco' so stock up for the week. Got a new chimney cap from Ely Boat Chandlers. After putting the food and drink on board we had a chicken drumstick lunch and eventually left the F&D at 3.45pm. We wandered up the Old West to the Lazy Otter, arriving shortly after 5. Tied up on the GOBA moorings and had a couple in the pub. Some kids with their parents in the beer garden took Tasha for a walk. Back on board at 7; roasted a half-shoulder of lamb, demolished a bottle of red and turned in at 10. This is the life!

1 1/2 hours

                                                                                                                                            Getting ready for the 'off'                                                                                                   

11 September 2006

Meg was up at 6.30, me at 8. Walked Tasha and left at 9, a beautiful misty morning. Meandered up the Old West on a perfect cruising day; sunny, not too hot and a light breeze. There was a bit of a delay at Hermitage lock where a narrowboat was locking through with another one in tow - took 40 minutes. We wanted to stop at Westview to get some gas but the EA mooring was full. So - we carried on the the Pike and Eel. Locked through Brownshill Staunch with the cruiser 'Captain Simon' and arrived at the 'Pike' at 12.30pm. Gary drove up from Milton and joined us for lunch on the boat and then we relaxed in the sunshine for the afternoon. In the evening we had dinner at the pub; a super meal although the drink prices are a bit high. Bed around 11pm.

31/2 hours, 2 locks

12 September 2006

We were woken at 6.30am by the people on the boat next door laughing and messing about (still a bit looned from the previous night??) Breakfast at 9 and got stuck in to some boaty jobs. Bought a new gas bottle, swabbed out the bilges, re-filled the stern-gland greaser and tightened the gland nuts 1/2 turn. went for a beer at 12.30. A quick zizz after lunch and then walked Tasha down the bridleway towards Holywell. On our return, met up with Terry Forrest in the pub, had a couple of beers and caught up on each others news. Back to chores; swept chimney and cleaned up the Morso stove; fitted the new coolie cap, screwed it to the chimney and re-assembled the bits. A bar-snack in the pub and back at 9.30. Played some board games and turned in. A good evening.

11/2 hours battery charge.

13 September 2006

A bad night's sleep for both. It lashed with rain for several hours, but dawned sunny. Emptied bog, chatted to neighbours on MV 'Seeway'  and finally set off at 9.45am. Arrived at St.Ives at 11.45 and moored in the EA mooring by the Dolphin Hotel. Shortly afterwards, MV Seeway came in behind us. Had a couple of drinks in the Dolphin (surprisingly inexpensive), a meat and salad baguette lunch, quick zizz then walked Tasha right around the meadow. The 'National' will be here next year! Did a few boaty chores and went back to the pub with Peter and Diana off 'Seeway' and had a couple of drinks and a bar snack. Very good indeed, not dear and very friendly staff. Just as we got back to the boat, the heavens opened and a serious thunderstorm hit us. We battened down the hatches, opened a bottle of red and played a few board games, Steve lost all of them..... Bed at 11.30pm.

2 hours, 1 lock

                                                                                                                                    Mooring by the 'Dolphin', St.Ives

14 September 2006

Steve had another bad night. Up at 7.30. Meg took Tasha for a long walk across the meadows (and met another Beardie). We decided to stay put today. Walked around town, bought a few odds and ends (like the Glass Painting Kit with no glass....), had a lunchtime couple in the Dolphin and lunch on board. After lunch we took Tasha for another long walk over the meadow. On return did a few boaty jobs and had a big Shepherds Pie for supper. Watched videos and turned in at 11.30. Overnight it rained heavily again.

2 hours battery charge

15 September 2006

Steve was up first and took Tasha for a long walk across the meadows at 7.30. Left St.Ives at 8.45 and headed for Hartford Marina, arriving at 10.45. Fixed a dirty connection on the bilge-pump wiring, emptied loo, filled up with water. Met Alan from Duxford who now lives on a boat at Hartford and also works there. We promised to keep in touch. Left at 11.30 and on our way towards Houghton lock realised we had lost our windlass - left at Houghton on the way through. Fortunately a a young couple on a Bridge Boatyard hireboat locked us through Houghton and Hemingford locks. No choice but to return to St.Ives to get a new windlass from Jones' boat-yard. Arrived at the EA Dolphin moorings at 1.30pm. Bar-snack lunch then Steve tramped off to Jones' boatyard to get a new windlass. On return, Meg took Tasha out for another walk. In the evening watched TV and videos after a fry-up supper and bed at 11.30. Tasha is knackered - hasn't walked so far in ages!

4 hours, 4 locks

16 September 2006

Left St.Ives at 9.30am on a cold misty morning. Worked through St.Ives lock with a flotilla of canoes and inflatables from the sea scout base and they worked the lock for us. An uneventful wander to the Pike and Eel and tied up at our previous mooring around mid-day. The mist lifted and it turned out to be a nice afternoon. We had a pint and a bar-snack, then an afternoon ziz. Meg took Tasha for a walk along the flood-bank to Holywell and back, and Steve tidied and cleaned the inside of the boat. In the evening we had a pint and dinner at the hotel, watched the 'Pink Panther' dvd and bed at 11pm.

21/2 hours, 1 lock

17 September 2006

Woke very early. Steve took Tasha for a short walk. Another grey dreary morning. Meg then took Tasha for a longer walk. Steve checked things over and found we are short of diesel. Phoned Westview to establish that they have got some. Left the Pike at 9.45 and arrived at Westview at 11.15am. got diesel and locked through Hermitage at 12.00. Stopped for lunch on Aldreth GOBA moorings at 1.30pm - salad and baguette. Weather is glorious now. A steady run to Popes Corner, arriving at 4.45pm. Cleared up, did the janitorial bits and finally left for home at 6pm at the end of a good week's holiday.

63/4 hours, 2 locks, 105 litres diesel

23 September 2006

Arrived at mid-day. A salad lunch and then - instead of doing all the jobs we'd said we'd do, we vegged out for the rest of the day. It was a lovely afternoon and we had lots of tow-path chat with neighbours. Might do some boaty chores tomorrow - but all bets are off.

2 hours battery charge

24 September 2006

Surfaced at 8.30am (Did we really drink that much last night?). Set to work polishing the boat top-sides after a mushroom and tomato omelette breakfast. Another lovely day, not too hot and a pleasant breeze. Fitted a new chimney chain, tightened the window-frame screws, Cleaned out the cabin interior. A home-made mushroom soup for lunch followed by fresh asparagus with wholemeal bread and all washed down with a bottle of Chardonnay. The boat is now about ready for Andy and Alison to use next week. The batteries are all a bit low, she needs a good long run.

1 1/2 hours battery charge

27 September 2006

Andy and Alison's log. We arrived at about 3pm. Just our luck - the crane was blocking the track to we had to hump all the gear to the boat the long way. Damn - all that booze is bloody heavy!

Everything fired up OK and realised things forgotten - newspaper for fire, top sheet for bed, more wine. Expecting Ali's friend Marion and her new boyfriend for supper about 7.30pm. Shame the pub is shut - I really liked it. Weather cloudy with a stiff breeze. Marion and Ian joined us for dinner; cottage pie, veg, pud and - 4 bottles of wine! Ho!

1 1/2 hours battery charge

28 September 2006

Mugs of tea and as we both agreed still too full for breakfast after last night's fab meal so Ali went for papers and we were on the river by 9.15am. Motored up the old West, stopping at Earith for a 1/2 hour lunch break and onwards towards Huntingdon. As we left our mooring at Earith we saw what I thought were huge otters. Very large and as we were in the tidal bit of the river, I became convinced they were seals. Heads the size of footballs, and very fat! Journey was uneventful; some locks were set in our favour so no complaints. Ali took the helm for about an hour and was very good. The last part of the trip into Huntingdon had to be done on nav lights as we were losing daylight. Moored on the bridge side of Purvis Marina. Made a quick trip to Sainsburys (5 minutes walk), a couple in the Three Tuns pub and back to the boat with the booze (sorry - shopping). Weather partly cloudy and just a slight bit of drizzle. Not bad for the time of year.

9 hours, 4 locks

29 September 2006

Left Huntingdon at 9.20, good run back to Earith. Prior to leaving, managed to find a bottle bank - thank God! Got heavily rained on coming through St.Ives lock and had to fire up the stove to dry out. The lockie at Hermitage confirmed that we had indeed encountered seals. There are 3, a mother and 2 pups and they have been on that part of the river for over 2 years. River carried a large population of rudd and the seals love them. For old times sake we hauled over to the Pike and Eel for a couple. Tambourine, Meg and Steve well remembered by the landlord. An ex-colleague of Ali's also keeps a boat there (?Kaseera?). 2 1/2 miles from the Lazy Otter the engine overheated. Added 1/2 pint of water to the cooling system  and carried on the the Lazy Otter and stopped for the night. Nice meal in the pub.

9 hours, 4 locks

30 September 2006

Left the Lazy Otter at 0845 and an unhurried run back to Popes Corner where we re-fuelled and topped up the water tank. Steve King, Max and Toby arrived and we left the mooring again at around 11. Down the Cam to Upware where the engine decided to overheat again, only about 1 hours travel from the marina. Pulled over at the '5 Miles from Anywhere'. Damn! They're open! Opened the weed trap, fair bit of weed around the prop and having freed it, we locked the boat, leaving the weed hatch open and went for a mineral water (Ha!). After an hour of drinking and playing crib, returned and topped up the engine with water. It took 2 1/2 litres though no sign of any leak. Motored on into Cambridge; a nice run but shame about all the sailing boats and rowing boats; the last mile was very slow. Scenery was good though (well - hum how how!). no more overheating, thankfully. Ali, Steve and the boys went shopping to re-stock the booze cupboard ant got a chinese take-away. Left the plastic tubs for re-use on the boat. Played cards and bed around midnight. Steve and the boys very cozy up front!

8 hours, 2 locks

01 October 2006

Up around 8 - lovely morning. Breakfast and away by 0930. dodging the rowers was not too much of a problem but the sail boats were a bloody nuisance, tacking all over the place without any warning - and they were holding time trials. I think some of them must have come in with some very bad times! It was very windy on the open water and then the rains came - thunder and lightning all around but we carried on regardless! Many people took photos of the boat especially when locking through (a very pretty boat, it has to be said!). Back at the moorings at Popes corner by 2.00 pm and saw Steve and the boys off. All of them had a go at driving and Toby was especially good considering his 13 years. With practice he would make a fine helmsman. Back on the water at 3.30 and motored downstream to Ely in heavy rain. Coming into town the engine overheated again. Pulled over and inspected the weed-trap - a fair amount of wispy weed like matted hair around the prop-shaft which I cleared. Noticed that the sealing rubber round the weed-trap was disintegrating and when we got back under way the prop was blowing a lot of air into the water. We moored outside the Cutter; very tight, only 18 inches to spare at either end. scared the c**p out of the couple on the cruiser behind us; missed them by a couple of inches but berthed without a hitch (thank God!). Even I was impressed! Repairs will have to wait until tomorrow as the marina is closed. Beer in the Cutter, Pizza Express and wine; bed around 10.

8 hours, 2 locks

02 October 2006

Woke at 8.30am. Breakfast and Ali went in search of a bottle and can bank. I went up to the marina hoping to get something to fix the weed-hatch. After some humming and haaing the man came up with a strip of draught excluder and ripped me off £7.50 for a metre of it! Seemed to do the trick but needs to be replaced with some thicker, wider tape. Uneventful trip back to Popes Corner, very windy and reversing back from the diesel pump was interesting! Emptied the bog, filled the water-tank and generally cleaned down. A duvet has appeared on the table on the landing stage! Wet and soggy but has been there for 2 days now with no takers. A lovely time has been had by all. Thanks v much Meg & Steve, We're looking forward to the next time.

1 hours, 15 litres diesel

06 October 2006

We arrived at 6.30pm and carted the gear to the boat. We are going to Westview Marina to have Tambourine blacked and serviced, and also have some re-painting done. Ran the engine but the batteries are low and the belt squealed a lot. I wonder if the service batteries are getting tired? Maybe think of changing them in the spring. Its very windy and I'm glad we're not travelling until tomorrow afternoon. Meg has put a Shepherd's Pie in the oven and wine and cider are flowing happily.

We have now demolished the pie - and the wine - only have to make up the bed and that's it! Goodnight!

11/2 hours battery charge

07 October

Woken at 6.45 by a dog needing out! Boiled eggs and fruit juice for brekky and then away at 8.15 to take Steve's car to Earith. Then back to Ely to get some weed-hatch sealer from Ely Boat Chandlers. Back on board at 0945. Fitted new sealing strip, checked battery voltages, oil levels etc and settled down to read the papers. After a chilli and rice lunch washed down with a bottle of Chardonnay we slipped the lines and left Popes Corner at 2.30pm.

Reached the Lazy Otter at 4pm. Caught off-guard by the strong wind and caught the side of a cruiser, making a nasty scratch down our cabin side. Had dinner in the pub with the folks off cruiser 'Out of the Blue'. When we got back to the boats I lost my footing on the wet grass and slid inelegantly into the river. Much bruised pride and rib-cage where I hit the side of the boat. No big deal but its the second time I have fallen in here. The place is jinxed.

11/2 hours battery charge, 11/2 hours cruising. sealing strip £3.15

                                                                                                                              GOBA moorings at the Lazy Otter

08 October 2006

Left the Lazy Otter at 9.15 after brekky. A superb cruising day; light winds, warm and no-one else about. Meandered down the Old West and saw a kingfisher in flight on the way. Locked through Hermitage at 11.45. Roger Mungham was on duty and told us that today is an exceptionally high tide. All the fields along the tidal stretch are covered with water! Reached Westview Marina at 12.15, moored on the EA jetty and informed the marina lady of our arrival. Had a fab carvery lunch at the Riverview Inn and then returned to the boat to clear cupboards and shelves ready for craning out. Left at 4.15pm, back to Popes Corner to get Meg's car and home after a lovely weekend.

3 hours, 1 lock

                                                                                                                               Westview Marina visitor moorings

21 October 2006

We arrived at Westview at 10. After the usual chats to neighbours, settling up with Derek for the work etc we left at 11.30. I was concerned that the engine was sounding rough and lumpy but we hoped it would clear itself. It didn't and it packed up in Hermitage lock. We have done this before as well! The lockie helped us to rope it out and we tied up on the landing stage. Phoned Westview and Derek and Lee came out to fix it. They re-bled the engine and off we went. Lee stayed with us as far as the pumping station to make sure that all was well. Dropped him off and made our way to the Lazy Otter, arriving at 3.30 pm. We chatted to the neighbours, John and Sandra on Bobbles pulled in for a quick few words. Went for a bar meal in the pub and retired around 9 to read for a while before settling down. A blustery day but the rain held off.

4 hours, 1 lock. Blacking, painting and engine service £729

                                                                                                      Autumn evening mooring at the Lazy Otter   

22 October 2006

It blew a gale all night but by 0830 when we surfaced the wind had moderated a little. None the less it took us almost 20 minutes to get off the mooring and the wind kept pushing us back on. A problem we've had before at the Lazy Otter. We freed ourselves eventually and as the wind dropped to a light breeze we had a pleasant run back to Popes Corner, arriving at 11am. Did the usual janitorial bits and eventually shut everything down and left at mid-day - just before the rain started!

1 1/2 hours

03 November 2006

Keith from Ely Boat Chandlery is doing the BSS inspection tomorrow. I arrived at 5pm and the temperature already down to 5C and falling fast. Ran engine up, started central heating and lit the stove. It's gonna be a cold one! Did various boaty bits to get ready for the inspection, a 'TV dinner' cottage pie for supper and a glass or two of cider. Very cozy in here. Bloody cold outside!

2 hours charge

04 November 2006

Up at 6.30 and after a boiled egg breakfast finished getting things ready. Went to meet Keith at 9 only to find he wasn't allowed on site as we hadn't told the marina he was coming. Something to do with insurance................?? Keith set off back home again; we'll have to do the BSS in the spring. I did one or two chores, drained the water down, topped the engine up with antifreeze and left for home at mid-day.

2 hours charge

19 November 2006

A quick visit early this morning to re-fill the de-humidifiers with crystals. Temperature -1C. Checked ropes, bilges etc but didn't bother to run the engine. Away again by 10.15am.

03 December 2006

Arrived at 10am. Very windy morning indeed. Ran engine up, checked ropes, bilges, dehumidifiers etc. Everything seems to be OK. Left shortly after 11am.

1 hour battery charge